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Website
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Abbreviation
DOC
Agencies
Department of Commerce
Federal Agency
Yes
Location

United States

What to Report to the OIG Hotline
Commerce OIG maintains a Hotline for receiving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or gross mismanagement in the Department of Commerce’s programs and operations, including any organization or entity receiving Departmental funds. The following is a list of examples of types of allegations that should be reported:
  • Contract and grant fraud
  • Environmental, health, and safety violations
  • Computer crimes (including internet pornography)
  • Product substitution and suspect/counterfeit parts
  • Bribery, kickbacks, and gratuities
  • False statements and false claims
  • Conflicts of interest and ethics violations
  • Travel fraud
  • Theft or abuse of government property
  • Gross mismanagement of funds
  • Other violations of federal laws and regulations
In addition, if you suspect that you have been retaliated against for whistleblowing, you may contact the Commerce OIG Hotline or the Office of Special Counsel.
What Not to Report to the OIG Hotline
Certain matters are better resolved through other channels, instead of the Commerce OIG Hotline. The following matters are NOT generally investigated by Commerce OIG:
  • 911 emergencies regarding a Departmental facility or operation. Report to the local or state law enforcement authorities and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
  • Complaints of EEO discrimination and retaliation. Report to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Civil Rights.
  • Personal theft. Report to Department of Commerce’s Office of Security.
  • Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
  • Employment related grievances or complaints against management officials unless part of a whistleblower claim. Report to the servicing Office of Human Resources Management.
  • Assistance with the U.S. patent application process (e.g., initial filing, patent examination, and post-examination) and case prosecution concerns (e.g., claim objections, after-final practice, claim rejections and restrictions). Contact the Patents Ombudsman Office (https://www.uspto.gov/patent/ombudsman-program).
Hotline Page
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Online-Hotline-Complaint-Form.aspx
Whistleblower Protection Page
https://www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspx

The Joint Polar Satellite System: Cost Growth and Schedule Delay of a Key Instrument Acquisition Highlight the Need for Closer Attention to Contractor Oversight

2020
OIG-20-047-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

Our objective was to assess the cost, schedule, and technical performance of the Program’s acquisition and development effort for selected instruments. We found the following: (1) The Program exceeded contract definitization timelines and conducted late and abbreviated baseline reviews. (2) JPSS-2...

USPTO Needs to Improve Its Small Business Contracting Practices

2020
OIG-20-045-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The objectives were to determine whether USPTO (1) achieved its small business utilization goals, (2) contracting officials provided small businesses with adequate contract award opportunities, and (3) took appropriate actions to ensure contracting officials met small business contracting goals. We...

Fleet Program Is Not Managed in Accordance with Fleet Management Requirements

2020
OIG-20-037-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The objective of our audit was to determine whether the Department’s fleet program operates in accordance with applicable federal fleet requirements for vehicle operations, acquisitions, and utilization. We found that the Department is not operating its fleet program in accordance with federal fleet...

Federal Employee Who Accessed Child Pornography Aboard Government Research Vessel Sentenced to Federal Prison

Federal Employee Who Accessed Child Pornography Aboard Government Research Vessel Sentenced to Federal Prison
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Federal Employee Who Accessed Child Pornography Aboard Government Research Vessel Sentenced to Federal Prison EUGENE, Ore.—A federal government employee who accessed and possessed child pornography while working aboard a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientific research,,,

Fundamental Security Safeguards Were Not In Place to Adequately Protect the IT Systems Supporting the 2020 Census

2021
OIG-21-018-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

The objective of this audit was to determine the effectiveness of security measures for select IT systems that support the 2020 Census. Our audit scope included the Bureau’s risk management program, security operations center (SOC) capabilities, security of Active Directory, and implementation of...

The U.S. Census Bureau's Mishandling of a January 2020 Cybersecurity Incident Demonstrated Opportunities for Improvement

2021
OIG-21-034-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the audit of the U.S. Census Bureau's (the Bureau's) incident response process, our audit objective was to assess the adequacy of the Bureau's process to respond to cybersecurity incidents according to federal and U.S. Department of Commerce requirements. We found the...

USPTO Should Improve Controls over Examination of Trademark Filings to Enhance the Integrity of the Trademark Register

2021
OIG-21-033-A
Audit
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the audit of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) efforts to improve the accuracy of the trademark register, our audit objective was to determine whether USPTO’s trademark registration process is effective in preventing fraudulent or inaccurate...

USPTO Has Opportunities to Improve Its Internal Controls and Oversight Related to PTA and PTE Calculations

2021
OIG-21-030-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce

For our final report on the evaluation of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) and Patent Term Extension (PTE) processes, our objectives were to determine whether USPTO (1) calculates and awards PTA and PTE in compliance with relevant statutes...

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Pleads Guilty to Causing 2016 Oil Spill and Agrees to $1 Million Fine

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Pleads Guilty to Causing 2016 Oil Spill and Agrees to $1 Million Fine
Article Type
Investigative Press Release
Publish Date

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Pleads Guilty to Causing 2016 Oil Spill and Agrees to $1 Million Fine NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK COMPANY, LLC (“ GREAT LAKES”), a Texas company, pled guilty on June 15, 2021 to violating the Clean,,,

NOAA Fisheries Implemented the Requirements for Awarding Funds Under the CARES Act but Faces Challenges with the Pace of Funds Disbursement to Fishery Participants

2021
OIG-21-028-I
Inspection / Evaluation
Department of Commerce OIG
Department of Commerce
Pandemic

For our evaluation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, also known as NOAA Fisheries) plan for the implementation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding, our objective was to determine whether...

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